CFL Week 12 games, power rankings

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' quarterback Joey Elliott (14), who had his hands full with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last month, won't find life any easier this weekend against the Calgary Stampeders.

Photograph by: John Woods
, The Canadian Press

VANCOUVER — Who is where, who is up and who is down? This week’s Canadian Football League breakdown:

• FRIDAY:

Winnipeg at Calgary, 6 p.m. Pacific time, TSN

Even if Joey Elliott throws for four TDs against Calgary — as Travis Lulay did against Montreal last week — the Bombers say that Buck Pierce will start the following game against Hamilton (Sept. 21). Of course, we’re not expecting Elliott to throw four TDs against the Stamps. The Bombers probably would settle for two, even one, since the team hasn’t scored an offensive touchdown since Aug. 24, against the Lions. Pierce hasn’t played since July 13 — a 42-10 loss to Esks — because of an injured foot, and he’s getting antsy to play. Perhaps the Bombers are wise in delaying his return until there’s a winnable game. This one isn’t.

Pick: Stampeders.

• SATURDAY:

Edmonton at Hamilton, Noon Pacific time, TSN

The Tiger-Cats have added two defensive linemen from the West — Torrey Davis, from Calgary, and Brandon Peguese, from B.C. — in an attempt to shore up their defence, which is trailing in most categories, including sacks. Indeed, the Ticats have given up 30 or more points in seven of nine games and saw the Argos’ Chad Kackert run roughshod over them Sept. 8. Kackert was promoted to prime time after Toronto released Cory Boyd, now part of a four-headed monster of RBs in Edmonton — Boyd, Hugh Charles, Jerome Messam and Calvin McCarty. But all that talent has done is promote confusion, dysfunction and contorted facial expressions from coach Kavis Reed.

Pick: Tiger-Cats.

Toronto at B.C., 4 p.m. Pacific time, (standard TV blackout)

Round Two of the Braley Bowl should see the return of B.C. SB Geroy Simon, admittedly “pissed” that coach Mike Benevides sat him down last week (hamstring) in favour of Nick Moore. Simon doesn’t need any manufactured fire to stoke his juices, but perhaps the indignity of being parked against his will might send him off to a monster game. The Argos couldn’t score a TD in their first meeting (an 18-9 B.C. win, Aug. 6 at Rogers Centre), QB Ricky Ray was sacked four times and picked off thrice. But the Argo offence has continued to evolve, one manifestation being the integration of former Stamps receiver Ken-Yon Rambo.

Pick: Lions.

• SUNDAY:

Saskatchewan at Montreal, 10 a.m. Pacific time, TSN

If last Saturday was supposed to be a statement game, the Als flopped badly. They were pummelled 43-10 by the Lions. Now the team has to regroup quickly and make another statement against the Riders, beginning to feel their oats again after a two-game sweep of the toxic Bombers. Free Willy? Apparently, it won’t happen. Backup QB Drew Willy has looked more than capable in two extended relief sessions in back-to-back games against Winnipeg. But Willy is being returned to his holding tank with Darian Durant (hip flexor) expected to start for the Riders, despite his latest injury. “Dinged” SB Weston Dressler is also good to go.

Pick: Alouettes.

Last Week: 3-1.

This season: 23-17.

• CFL POWER RANKINGS:

1. Lions — Young receivers Ernest Jackson and Nick Moore excelled against the Alouettes, leaving Lions with a raft of different choices about who gets to play Saturday against Argos.

2. Stampeders — After winning his third consecutive and fifth overall Canadian player of the week award, Jon Cornish can claim to be CFL’s best overall back, import or domestic.

3. Alouettes — Alouettes are just glad the Grey Cup isn’t in Vancouver this year. They’re 0-11 at BC Place since their last win there, back when Damon Allen was the Leos’ QB.

4. Argonauts — No one is saying Argos were daft in releasing Cory Boyd after Chad Kackert tore up the Tiger-Cats with 172 rushing yards, six catches and three TDs.

5. Roughriders — They’re on a two-game win streak — okay, it was fashioned against Winnipeg — but Riders are moving in positive direction after five consecutive losses.

6. Eskimos — For the second straight week, kicker Grant Shaw missed a last-play field goal attempt to beat the Stampeders. It’s not all on him, but he needs to make them.

7. Blue Bombers — Coach Burke ’fessed up to bonehead decision not to go for a makable FG against Roughriders, but give the man props for his honesty and integrity.

8. Tiger-Cats — They’re going to blow up old Ivor Wynne at the end of this season. Might have to dynamite the football team, too, if situation doesn’t improve quickly.

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